Russell Martin was left feeling angry and disappointed after dominant display from his side at Gillingham went unrewarded.
MK Dons controlled most of Tuesday’s clash at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium but were punished for three costly defensive errors as they fell to a 3-2 defeat.
“I'm really angry and really disappointed,” Dons manager Martin said in his post-match interview with iFollow MK Dons. “You can't come here, put in a performance like that and get beaten - it's not good enough.
“For such long periods, it was a top performance - as good as we've been in possession for a long time. Our first goal summed that up – I don't think they touched the ball after the kick-off!
“But, it’s three actions which have cost us - we’ve shot ourselves in the foot. We gave them a penalty from a long-throw, Surs and Harry then had a mix-up for the second and their third came from a long-throw too.
“We've conceded really poor goals recently and that hurts. It has to stop, it has to be better.”
Martin added: “We have the potential to be a really good team at this level but we are beating ourselves. We have to find a way to stop that because we are letting ourselves down, and it’s why we are where we are.
“We have to put tonight right. Saturday is an opportunity to go and pick up three points and if we show what we showed here for large parts – the control and the courage to play that we did – and defend our box better, I’m confident we can.”
Among the positives for Martin to take from Tuesday’s display was another goal for Will Grigg, who now has six goal involvements in as many games since returning to Stadium MK; a debut for new signing Josh McEachran and another 20-plus minutes of action for the returning Jordan Houghton.
Discussing all three, Martin said: “(Will Grigg) has been brilliant. He’s proving a lot of people wrong and a lot of people right.
“His attitude, his attention to detail and his quality is fantastic and he’s getting better and better as he’s getting fitter. We are really happy to have him and as long as he keeps performing like that, we’ve got one of the top performers in his position.
“I thought (Josh McEachran) was great when he came on. He showed everyone why he’s going to suit us and what he’s going to add. There will be bit of rustiness, of course, as there will be with Houghts, who has been out for a long time too, but they both did well when they came on.
“Having those two ready and available will be a real positive for us.”
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Russell Martin's MK Dons will look to bounce back on Saturday when they take on Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.
Due to the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions, the game will take place behind-closed-doors but MK Dons fans will still be able to watch the action courtesy of iFollow MK Dons.
With an iFollow MK Dons Video Match pass, you will be able to watch Martin's side in action on your laptop, computer, tablet or mobile device! Want to watch on your tablet or mobile device? Download the new EFL iFollow App and watch on the go, wherever you are!
To purchase a £10 Video Match Pass, click HERE and select Buy A Video Match Pass. Then simply log in to your iFollow MK Dons account and follow the instructions or register for an account, which can be done for free.
